"The thinking is it might help them retain Kevin Garnett, who though playing very well at center the second half of the season doesn't want to return as a center," Smith writes.

Asik, a 7-foot, 255-pound center from Turkey, was picked by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the 2008 draft and immediately sent to the Bulls in a three-team deal. He has averaged 2.9 points and 4.4 rebounds a game in two seasons with the Bulls.